Open Access

Role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in inducing apoptosis and renal fibrosis in 5/6-nephrectomized rats

  • Authors:
    • Xin Lin
    • Yan Zha
    • Xiang‑Zhen Zeng
    • Rong Dong
    • Qing‑Hua Wang
    • Dong‑Tao Wang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 12, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6461
  • Pages: 3575-3582
  • Copyright: © Lin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Renal fibrosis is the final common pathway of all progressive renal disease. Excessive and chronic activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway results in chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. To mimic CKD, the present study used 5/6-nephrectomized rats, and alterations in kidney histology, expression of β‑catenin and renal cell apoptosis were assessed. In addition, mesangial cells were cultured in vitro and transfected with β‑catenin siRNA to evaluate the effect of blocking Wnt/β‑catenin signaling on cell apoptosis and the expression of markers of renal fibrosis. The results demonstrated that CKD rat kidney tissues exhibited moderate renal fibrosis and significantly increased expression levels of β‑catenin and apoptosis associated proteins compared with sham‑operated rats. In vitro, silencing of β-catenin by siRNA attenuated tumor necrosis factor‑α‑induced apoptosis and decreased mRNA expression levels of various markers of fibrosis, including fibronectin, transforming growth factor‑β, and collagen I, III and IV. In conclusion, inhibition of Wnt/β‑catenin signaling by β‑catenin silencing attenuated apoptosis and expression of fibrosis-associated markers in renal cells. The present study suggested that the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway may serve as a potential treatment strategy for renal fibrotic disorders.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

June-2017
Volume 15 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Lin X, Zha Y, Zeng XZ, Dong R, Wang QH and Wang DT: Role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in inducing apoptosis and renal fibrosis in 5/6-nephrectomized rats. Mol Med Rep 15: 3575-3582, 2017
APA
Lin, X., Zha, Y., Zeng, X., Dong, R., Wang, Q., & Wang, D. (2017). Role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in inducing apoptosis and renal fibrosis in 5/6-nephrectomized rats. Molecular Medicine Reports, 15, 3575-3582. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6461
MLA
Lin, X., Zha, Y., Zeng, X., Dong, R., Wang, Q., Wang, D."Role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in inducing apoptosis and renal fibrosis in 5/6-nephrectomized rats". Molecular Medicine Reports 15.6 (2017): 3575-3582.
Chicago
Lin, X., Zha, Y., Zeng, X., Dong, R., Wang, Q., Wang, D."Role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in inducing apoptosis and renal fibrosis in 5/6-nephrectomized rats". Molecular Medicine Reports 15, no. 6 (2017): 3575-3582. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6461